Norman Ross Harbaugh Sr.

September 8, 1924 - September 20, 2013

Norman Ross Harbaugh Sr. went home to be with the Lord on September 20, 2013. Norman was born on September 8, 1924 and was raised by an absolutely wonderful mother, Bobbie Ross Harbaugh in Windber Pennsylvania. Windber was a coal-mining town where few went to college, yet he was the first male in his family to attend. He was a true self-made man with a drive, ambition, and compassion second to none. His education started at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, followed by attendance at the University of Pennsylvania in the Wharton School of Business, and then received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Colombia University in 1950. Norman continued on to earn a Master of Arts Degree from Stanford University in 1951, Master of Business Administration Degree, with distinction, from Harvard University in 1955, and finally a Doctor of Business Administration Degree from Harvard Business School in 1965.

Teaching and changing the lives of people one person at a time was a calling of Norman's. As a College Professor at Georgia State University for 19 years, he directed the MBA program and taught thousands of students Management 350. He was proud to have helped build GSU into the fine university it is today. Each year at the College's Honors Day ceremony, the department presents the "Norman R. Harbaugh Scholastic Achievement Award, presented to the most outstanding Management major in the MBA program based on academic achievement, potential for leadership, and service to the University and the community." Norman served on the Coordinating Board of the Emeriti Association of Georgia State University for many years. He also taught at Northwestern University and George Washington University prior to Georgia State.

Norman's biggest passion in his life was serving Jesus Christ who was his Savior from the age of 11 years. He spread the gospel by teaching Sunday school every Sunday for 72 years. He also served on or directed mission trips to India, Kenya, Australia, Moldavia, and multiple American cities with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Norman's other love was his country, which he served by being in the US Navy for 27 years, attaining the rank of Captain. He served with Admiral Hyman Rickover in the US Nuclear Program, a part of the Atomic Energy Commission, where he directed the building and outfitting of the World's and US Navy's first Nuclear Powered Frigate, the USS Bainbridge. While working under Admiral Rickover he met a fellow officer in the nuclear program named Lieutenant Sally Preston Higgins, who would become his wife on December 21, 1957. Norman served the community on numerous organizations and boards. He was a Boy Scout as well a Boy Scout Leader, a Masonic Mason for 60 years, served on the Navy Capital Credit Union's Board of Directors and became its Vice President. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Baptist School of Nursing and the Luther Rice Seminary and as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons at Druid Hills Baptist Church and Claremont Hills Baptist Church. Norman served in leadership positions in the Gideon's International, American Legion, Task Force Patriot, as well President of the Park Springs Foundation, and many other organizations over his life. As an entrepreneur, Norman formed Harbaugh & Associates, which provided business consulting to many Fortune 500 companies for 21 years. As an accomplished pilot he not only flew with Civil Air Patrol, but he would also give business advice to the CEO of Northeast Airlines, which a few years later merged with Delta Airlines. Norman is survived by his wife Sally Higgins Harbaugh, his son Norman "Chip" Ross Harbaugh Jr. MD., and grandchildren Adam Lee Harbaugh, Chandler Heilman Harbaugh, and Norman Ross Harbaugh III. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28th,, at 11:00 am, and a reception to follow. The service and reception will be held at Mountain Park First Baptist Church, located at 5485 Five Forks Trickum Road, Stone Mountain Georgia, 30087. In lieu of flowers, which would be considered wasteful by Norman, he would like donations to go to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 665, Stone Mountain Georgia 30086-0665 or to Mountain Park First Baptist Church.